Microsoft offers free tech training to Utahns

SALT LAKE CITY — Microsoft announced the donation Wednesday of 5,625 vouchers for Utahns to take its computer training courses.

The vouchers are available online until Aug. 24 on a first-come, first-served basis for any member of the public through the Utah College of Applied Technology website, www.ucat.edu.

At a news conference at the state Capitol, officials from the college, the Utah Department of Workforce Services and Gov. Gary Herbert's economic team touted the public-private partnership as a key opportunity for people to sharpen their skills or learn new ones at a time when jobs are scarce.

Microsoft is giving vouchers to states as part of its Elevate America program to provide technology to 2 million people over the next three years.

The courses teach the basics of Microsoft Office and offer advanced certification for information technology professionals.